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Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Dog owners urged to avoid ‘hidden danger' this week as vet reveals breeds most at risk
Scroll down to find out which dog breeds are most susceptible to overheating DOG DAYS Dog owners urged to avoid 'hidden danger' this week as vet reveals breeds most at risk Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOG owners are being warned not to take their pets out for walks during key times this week as the UK braces for a summer heatwave. Vets say that while many owners believe a stroll in the fresh air is a good idea, the risks to dogs are much greater than just leaving them in a hot car. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 During heatwaves, the safest place for your pet is indoors in a cool, shaded area with good airflow Credit: Getty Across the UK, with temperatures set to exceed 25°C and possibly reach 30°C in some regions, veterinary experts are urging owners to rethink their walking routines. According to Pet Health Club, which represents over 800 vet practices, the danger isn't just the sun — it's the ground beneath your dog's feet. In places like London, Manchester, Birmingham and parts of the South East, surfaces such as pavements and artificial grass can retain extreme heat long after the sun has started to dip. These hot surfaces can soar to more than 50°C — easily enough to burn sensitive paw pads and trigger overheating in just minutes. Holly McKinley, senior vet at Pet Health Club, explained: 'Many owners assume it's safe to walk their dogs once the sun dips, but pavements often stay dangerously hot well past 5pm, and on some days, the air does too. "That's why we're calling it the hidden 'danger hour'.' While heatstroke in dogs is a well-known risk in parked cars, the latest research suggests that walks during hot spells are an even bigger danger. A staggering 74 per cent of heatstroke cases in dogs are caused by exercise, compared to just 5 per cent from being left in vehicles. 'Dogs don't sweat like we do, and their ability to cool down is limited. So even when it feels bearable to us, it can still be risky for them,' said Holly. How to keep pets safe during a heatwave 'Walking your dog in 25-degree heat is like running a marathon in a fur coat. "It might not seem extreme to humans, but for dogs, especially those with thick coats or flat faces, it can be life-threatening.' She added that breeds with short snouts — known as Brachycephalic breeds, including pugs, bulldogs and boxers — are particularly at risk. Their compromised airways mean they struggle more to breathe and regulate their body temperature during even mild exertion. Dog owners are urged to check pavements before heading out by using the back-of-the-hand test. 'If you can't comfortably hold it there for seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws,' Holly said. 'If in doubt, skip the walk and focus on indoor play or enrichment instead.' Symptoms of heatstroke can come on quickly and include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, confusion, vomiting and even seizures. If untreated, it can result in collapse or death in a matter of minutes. Dog breeds most susceptible to overheating In general, there are six groups of dogs who struggle most in hot weather... Firstly, those with underlying health problems. Dogs can't sweat like we can, so rely largely on panting to cool down. However, if they have airway or lung impairments, or suffer from fluid balance or hydration issues, then this is more difficult, and their ability to lose heat is reduced, meaning they are at a higher risk of heat-stroke. Overweight animals find it harder to ventilate, and their core temperature rises faster than you'd expect for a lean dog. Very young dogs or very old dogs are also at increased risk of heatstroke, and these owners should be even more cautious in hot weather. Dogs with very thick coats, who are adapted to a colder climate. Dogs such as the Husky or Malamute - and even the Chow Chow - have been bred to keep heat in. However, this comes at the price of being less well able to cope in hot weather. Their thick double coats effectively trap heat, making it the equivalent of us going out in the July heat wearing a fur coat and thermal underwear: they get very hot, very quickly. This problem can be alleviated by clipping (NOT shaving), however, the coat can take a long time to grow back. In a heatwave, though, if you're struggling to keep your dog cool, I'd personally rather have a dog with a thinner coat who's alive than a luxuriously coated dog in the morgue. Short-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs. These dogs have been bred to look "cute", with big eyes and flat faces. Unfortunately, the result of this has been a narrowing of the airways and a profusion of soft tissue in the nasal chambers and pharynx - we call this Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, and it profoundly affects their ability to pant and lose heat. Like a dog with any other respiratory disease, most members of these breeds are highly prone to heatstroke, and as they are often overweight as well, are at very high risk in hot weather Sean McCormack, head vet at said: 'A dog's ability to regulate heat is very different from ours. This makes it essential for pet owners, particularly those new to dog care, to take proactive steps to keep their pets cool, safe, and comfortable.' Even short walks in the midday sun can be dangerous. Vets recommend walking early in the morning — ideally before 8am — or late in the evening, well after sunset, when both the air and surfaces have had time to cool down properly. Eve, a veterinary nurse from the UK, echoed the warning on social media. She said: 'The temperatures are rising and taking your dog on a walk is not worth risking their life. "Do it responsibly – 6am in the morning, 8pm at night when it's nice and cool.' She added: 'This applies to every single dog breed, but especially Brachycephalic breeds. If you can hear your dog breathing heavily on a normal day, that's a sign they're already under respiratory stress. "Add heat to that, and it can become dangerous very quickly.' Eve also warned of symptoms like vomiting and regurgitation, particularly in flat-faced breeds, which can lead to aspiration — where fluid enters the lungs and causes serious complications. During heatwaves, the safest place for your pet is indoors in a cool, shaded area with good airflow. Owners are advised to provide plenty of fresh water, use fans or cooling mats, and avoid overexcitement or vigorous play.
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Dog owners urged to avoid ‘hidden danger' this week as vet reveals breeds most at risk
DOG owners are being warned not to take their pets out for walks during key times this week as the UK braces for a summer heatwave. Vets say that while many owners believe a stroll in the fresh air is a good idea, the risks to dogs are much greater than just leaving them in a hot car. 2 During heatwaves, the safest place for your pet is indoors in a cool, shaded area with good airflow Credit: Getty Across the UK, with temperatures set to exceed 25°C and possibly reach 30°C in some regions, veterinary experts are urging owners to rethink their walking routines. According to Pet Health Club, which represents over 800 vet practices, the danger isn't just the sun — it's the ground beneath your dog's feet. In places like London, Manchester, Birmingham and parts of the South East, surfaces such as pavements and artificial grass can retain extreme heat long after the sun has started to dip. These hot surfaces can soar to more than 50°C — easily enough to burn sensitive paw pads and trigger overheating in just minutes. Read more on News Holly McKinley, senior vet at Pet Health Club, explained: 'Many owners assume it's safe to walk their dogs once the sun dips, but pavements often stay dangerously hot well past 5pm, and on some days, the air does too. "That's why we're calling it the hidden 'danger hour'.' While heatstroke in dogs is a well-known risk in parked cars, the latest research suggests that walks during hot spells are an even bigger danger. A staggering 74 per cent of heatstroke cases in dogs are caused by exercise, compared to just 5 per cent from being left in vehicles. Most read in The Sun 'Dogs don't sweat like we do, and their ability to cool down is limited. So even when it feels bearable to us, it can still be risky for them,' said Holly. How to keep pets safe during a heatwave 'Walking your dog in 25-degree heat is like running a marathon in a fur coat. "It might not seem extreme to humans, but for dogs, especially those with thick coats or flat faces, it can be life-threatening.' She added that breeds with short snouts — known as Brachycephalic breeds, including pugs, bulldogs and boxers — are particularly at risk. Their compromised airways mean they struggle more to breathe and regulate their body temperature during even mild exertion. 'If you can't comfortably hold it there for seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws,' Holly said. 'If in doubt, skip the walk and focus on indoor play or enrichment instead.' Symptoms of heatstroke can come on quickly and include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, confusion, vomiting and even seizures. If untreated, it can result in collapse or death in a matter of minutes. Dog breeds most susceptible to overheating In general, there are six groups of dogs who struggle most in hot weather... Firstly, those with underlying health problems. Dogs can't sweat like we can, so rely largely on panting to cool down. However, if they have airway or lung impairments, or suffer from fluid balance or hydration issues, then this is more difficult, and their ability to lose heat is reduced, meaning they are at a higher risk of heat-stroke. Overweight animals find it harder to ventilate, and their core temperature rises faster than you'd expect for a lean dog. Very young dogs or very old dogs are also at increased risk of heatstroke, and these owners should be even more cautious in hot weather. Dogs with very thick coats, who are adapted to a colder climate . Dogs such as the Husky or Malamute - and even the Chow Chow - have been bred to keep heat in. However, this comes at the price of being less well able to cope in hot weather. Their thick double coats effectively trap heat, making it the equivalent of us going out in the July heat wearing a fur coat and thermal underwear: they get very hot, very quickly. This problem can be alleviated by clipping (NOT shaving), however, the coat can take a long time to grow back. In a heatwave, though, if you're struggling to keep your dog cool, I'd personally rather have a dog with a thinner coat who's alive than a luxuriously coated dog in the morgue. Short-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs . These dogs have been bred to look "cute", with big eyes and flat faces. Unfortunately, the result of this has been a narrowing of the airways and a profusion of soft tissue in the nasal chambers and pharynx - we call this Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, and it profoundly affects their ability to pant and lose heat. Like a dog with any other respiratory disease, most members of these breeds are highly prone to heatstroke, and as they are often overweight as well, are at very high risk in hot weather Sean McCormack, head vet at said: 'A dog's ability to regulate heat is very different from ours. This makes it essential for pet owners, particularly those new to dog care, to take proactive steps to keep their pets cool, safe, and comfortable.' Even short walks in the midday sun can be dangerous. Vets recommend walking early in the morning — ideally before 8am — or late in the evening, well after sunset, when both the air and surfaces have had time to cool down properly. Eve, a She said: 'The temperatures are rising and taking your dog on a walk is not worth risking their life. "Do it responsibly – 6am in the morning, 8pm at night when it's nice and cool.' She added: 'This applies to every single dog breed, but especially Brachycephalic breeds. If you can hear your dog breathing heavily on a normal day, that's a sign they're already under respiratory stress. "Add heat to that, and it can become dangerous very quickly.' Eve also warned of symptoms like vomiting and regurgitation, particularly in flat-faced breeds, which can lead to aspiration — where fluid enters the lungs and causes serious complications. During heatwaves, the safest place for your pet is indoors in a cool, shaded area with good airflow. Owners are advised to provide plenty of fresh water, use fans or cooling mats, and avoid overexcitement or vigorous play. 2 Symptoms of heatstroke can come on quickly and include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, confusion, vomiting and even seizures Credit: GETTY
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Dog owners urged to avoid ‘hidden danger' this week as vet reveals breeds most at risk
DOG owners are being warned not to take their pets out for walks during key times this week as the UK braces for a summer heatwave. Vets say that while many owners believe a stroll in the fresh air is a good idea, the risks to dogs are much greater than just leaving them in a hot car. 2 Across the UK, with temperatures set to exceed 25°C and possibly reach 30°C in some regions, veterinary experts are urging owners to rethink their walking routines. According to Pet Health Club, which represents over 800 vet practices, the danger isn't just the sun — it's the ground beneath your dog's feet. In places like London, Manchester, Birmingham and parts of the South East, surfaces such as pavements and artificial grass can retain extreme heat long after the sun has started to dip. These hot surfaces can soar to more than 50°C — easily enough to burn sensitive paw pads and trigger overheating in just minutes. Holly McKinley, senior vet at Pet Health Club, explained: 'Many owners assume it's safe to walk their dogs once the sun dips, but pavements often stay dangerously hot well past 5pm, and on some days, the air does too. "That's why we're calling it the hidden 'danger hour'.' While heatstroke in dogs is a well-known risk in parked cars, the latest research suggests that walks during hot spells are an even bigger danger. A staggering 74 per cent of heatstroke cases in dogs are caused by exercise, compared to just 5 per cent from being left in vehicles. 'Dogs don't sweat like we do, and their ability to cool down is limited. So even when it feels bearable to us, it can still be risky for them,' said Holly. How to keep pets safe during a heatwave 'Walking your dog in 25-degree heat is like running a marathon in a fur coat. "It might not seem extreme to humans, but for dogs, especially those with thick coats or flat faces, it can be life-threatening.' She added that breeds with short snouts — known as Brachycephalic breeds, including pugs, bulldogs and boxers — are particularly at risk. Their compromised airways mean they struggle more to breathe and regulate their body temperature during even mild exertion. Dog owners are urged to check pavements before heading out by using the back-of-the-hand test. 'If you can't comfortably hold it there for seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws,' Holly said. 'If in doubt, skip the walk and focus on indoor play or enrichment instead.' Symptoms of heatstroke can come on quickly and include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, confusion, vomiting and even seizures. If untreated, it can result in collapse or death in a matter of minutes. Dog breeds most susceptible to overheating In general, there are six groups of dogs who struggle most in hot weather... Firstly, those with underlying health problems. Dogs can't sweat like we can, so rely largely on panting to cool down. However, if they have airway or lung impairments, or suffer from fluid balance or hydration issues, then this is more difficult, and their ability to lose heat is reduced, meaning they are at a higher risk of heat-stroke. Overweight animals find it harder to ventilate, and their core temperature rises faster than you'd expect for a lean dog. Very young dogs or very old dogs are also at increased risk of heatstroke, and these owners should be even more cautious in hot weather. Dogs with very thick coats, who are adapted to a colder climate. Dogs such as the Husky or Malamute - and even the Chow Chow - have been bred to keep heat in. However, this comes at the price of being less well able to cope in hot weather. Their thick double coats effectively trap heat, making it the equivalent of us going out in the July heat wearing a fur coat and thermal underwear: they get very hot, very quickly. This problem can be alleviated by clipping (NOT shaving), however, the coat can take a long time to grow back. In a heatwave, though, if you're struggling to keep your dog cool, I'd personally rather have a dog with a thinner coat who's alive than a luxuriously coated dog in the morgue. Short-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs. These dogs have been bred to look "cute", with big eyes and flat faces. Unfortunately, the result of this has been a narrowing of the airways and a profusion of soft tissue in the nasal chambers and pharynx - we call this Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, and it profoundly affects their ability to pant and lose heat. Like a dog with any other respiratory disease, most members of these breeds are highly prone to heatstroke, and as they are often overweight as well, are at very high risk in hot weather Sean McCormack, head vet at said: 'A dog's ability to regulate heat is very different from ours. This makes it essential for pet owners, particularly those new to dog care, to take proactive steps to keep their pets cool, safe, and comfortable.' Even short walks in the midday sun can be dangerous. Vets recommend walking early in the morning — ideally before 8am — or late in the evening, well after sunset, when both the air and surfaces have had time to cool down properly. Eve, a veterinary nurse from the UK, echoed the warning on social media. She said: 'The temperatures are rising and taking your dog on a walk is not worth risking their life. "Do it responsibly – 6am in the morning, 8pm at night when it's nice and cool.' She added: 'This applies to every single dog breed, but especially Brachycephalic breeds. If you can hear your dog breathing heavily on a normal day, that's a sign they're already under respiratory stress. "Add heat to that, and it can become dangerous very quickly.' Eve also warned of symptoms like vomiting and regurgitation, particularly in flat-faced breeds, which can lead to aspiration — where fluid enters the lungs and causes serious complications. During heatwaves, the safest place for your pet is indoors in a cool, shaded area with good airflow. Owners are advised to provide plenty of fresh water, use fans or cooling mats, and avoid overexcitement or vigorous play. 2
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Ron's back running like the wind after horror accident on Bathgate farm
The Jack Russell almost lost his back leg after being run over by a trailer A plucky pooch from West Lothian who almost lost his leg on a Bathgate farm has overcome every obstacle is back 'running like the wind'. Ron, a Jack Russell who takes part in agility sports, was run over by a farm trailer and his owner Tracey Barton feared he may never be fit to compete again. But seven-year-old Ron is now back enjoying agility sessions thanks to expert bandage therapy and paddling sessions in the pool. Tracey was out on a regular evening walk with Ron and her two other dogs when a farmer came down the track with his Jeep and trailer. 'We'd pulled in to let him pass when Ron suddenly decided to chase, cut in front of the trailer and got run over,' said Tracey, from Westfield village near Bathgate. 'It happened in a split second and wasn't the farmer's fault at all. 'Ron's back leg was a mess, with the skin all pulled off and lots of blood. He was in a right state, so the farmer ran us home so I could get to the vets.' After emergency overnight treatment, Ron was transferred to Graham's Road Vets in Falkirk, part of the Pet Health Club – a preventative healthcare service and nationwide network of veterinary practices. The injury was so serious an extensive treatment plan was worked out by the vets and nurses. The main bandaging regime was carried out by Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) Niamh Ezady, with input from Bandaging Angels, specialists in bandaging and wound care. 'It was a really challenging case as Ron's wounds were so bad he could have lost the leg,' Niamh revealed. 'We applied wet-dry dressings, which had to be changed every 24 hours, and then moved on to special dressings using manuka honey to help with the healing and removal of the dead tissue. 'After that, our vet team were able to operate to tack the skin back over and almost all the wound was covered. We then did further bandage dressings to help relieve pressure sores. 'He's such a lovely dog it was incredibly rewarding to see him get better and be able to continue his recovery.' As part of Ron's rehab he had half-a-dozen sessions at Brookhydro in Uphall. 'He'd lost a huge amount of muscle from his leg,' said Tracey. 'But he was able to build it back up in the pool without putting any weight on it. He also took part in canine conditioning physio sessions.' Following the intensive therapy at Graham's Road Vets and hydrotherapy sessions, he's just started back doing Hoopers, a sport similar to agility. Hoopers, a cross between agility and sheepdog herding without the sheep, involves navigating the dog round a course through hoops, barrels and tunnels. Ron had previously been a regular, and after all the veterinary treatment and rehab he finally returned to it last month. 'I didn't know if he'd ever be able to do it again, and for a long time I was just happy if he'd be able to keep his leg,' added Tracey. 'But when he did his first session he was running like the wind. It was so good to see. 'I can't thank everyone involved in his care enough, particularly Niamh who was absolutely incredible.' Pet Health Club owners get unlimited consultations and are also covered for regular, routine treatments such as vaccinations, health checks and flea, worm and parasite treatments.
Scotsman
02-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Agility dog is back competing again after farm accident
A dog who almost lost his leg in a horror accident is back enjoying agility sessions thanks to expert bandage therapy and paddling sessions in the pool. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Seven-year-old Jack Russell Ron was run over by a trailer on a Bathgate farm and owner Tracey Barton feared he may never be fit to compete again. But after intensive therapy at Graham's Road Vets in Falkirk, part of the Pet Health Club network of vets, and hydrotherapy sessions, he's just started back doing Hoopers, a sport similar to agility. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tracey was out on a regular evening walk with Ron and her two other dogs when a farmer came down the track with his Jeep and trailer. Ron the agility dog competing at Hoopers 'We'd pulled in to let him pass when Ron suddenly decided to chase, cut in front of the trailer and got run over,' said Tracey, from Westfield near Bathgate. 'It happened in a split second and wasn't the farmer's fault at all. 'Ron's back leg was a mess, with the skin all pulled off and lots of blood. He was in a right state, so the farmer ran us home so I could get to the vets.' After emergency overnight treatment, Ron was transferred to Graham's Road. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The injury was so serious an extensive treatment plan was worked out by the vets and nurses. The main bandaging regime was carried out by Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) Niamh Ezady, with input from Bandaging Angels, specialists in bandaging and wound care. Tracey with Ron and her other pups 'It was a really challenging case as Ron's wounds were so bad he could have lost the leg,' said Niamh. 'We applied wet-dry dressings, which had to be changed every 24 hours, and then moved on to special dressings using manuka honey to help with the healing and removal of the dead tissue. 'After that, our vet team were able to operate to tack the skin back over and almost all the wound was covered. We then did further bandage dressings to help relieve pressure sores. 'He's such a lovely dog it was incredibly rewarding to see him get better and be able to continue his recovery.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As part of Ron's rehab he had half-a-dozen sessions at Brookhydro in Uphall. Ron's leg 'He'd lost a huge amount of muscle from his leg,' said Tracey. 'But he was able to build it back up in the pool without putting any weight on it. He also took part in canine conditioning physio sessions.' Hoopers, a cross between agility and sheepdog herding without the sheep, involves navigating the dog round a course through hoops, barrels and tunnels. Ron had previously been a regular, and after all the veterinary treatment and rehab he finally returned to it last month. 'I didn't know if he'd ever be able to do it again, and for a long time I was just happy if he'd be able to keep his leg,' added Tracey. 'But when he did his first session he was running like the wind. It was so good to see. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I can't thank everyone involved in his care enough, particularly Niamh in the Graham's Road team who was absolutely incredible.' Graham's Road is part of Pet Health Club, a preventative healthcare service and nationwide network of veterinary practices.
